Dear Milton:

You will never read this but I address it to you just the same.

Rage. You are right about the rage being a dangerous tool. All species have it, Vulcans, Klingons, Caitians, although they are loath to admit it, Kzinti, and of course, humans. The rage focuses thoughts. The rage expands consciousness. When used properly, the rage is the driver of all that is pure and good. It protects our children. It teaches us temperance. It keeps us safe.

You remember these things in your mind but have forgotten them in your heart, and thus you are a weak and useless male. You cannot perform your duty to the pride, but instead you endanger its very existence. The protection of the pride is a male's duty while the protection of the pride's future, the children, is a female's duty. I find it sad that I can perform both roles more easily than you.

This day I received the greatest reward a milk mother can receive. My ward called me her mother, and it makes me burn with pride. You rejected the honour of protecting one of these, my wards, by failing to show sufficient zeal for their care on the basis that they smell badly. What is your pitiful sense of smell compared to mine? If you believe me to be an animal, why is it that I will protect and nurture those of a radically different species while you will not protect and nurture those of a similar species? You are a half a male. If you believe my species to be nothing but an assortment of mindless killers, why is it that it is your kind who have nearly wiped themselves out of existence on multiple occasions? Why is it that it is Humanity that needs the Prime Directive? You're right, Milton, my kind are not like yours. We're better. And you can stand to learn from us.

I am now confused. Why would the Goddess send you to me? At first I felt it was for me to be the healer, to provide you with happiness and be an obedient and dutiful wife in recompense for the hurt you've suffered at the hands of fate. I thought the scourging you have suffered was to prepare you for your greater role as protector and provider. You speak of being mistreated and ignored as a child. Such a scourging can serve two purposes. One, is to cull the chaff. Two, is to strengthen the worthy. The rage is the key, will you be its master, or will it master you? Chaff or worthy? Weak or strong. Male or worthless?

I will invite you to tea. You will come and see me for who I am. You will see that my rage is tempered with love, duty and honour, or you will flee and remain throughout your life a bitter waste of flesh, wallowing like a pig in your pathetic self-pity. You will see me in my naked glory and then I will know who you are. You have until the end of June to choose your role.

Sincerely,

K'Lynxyl Physician
Daughter of M'Rander of Cait and Chaal Riit of Kzin, and utterly unashamed of this

Oh shit, I just pushed send. Oh shit. I meant to save. Oh shit. How do I recall this? Oh Mother please don't let this be happening, I blind copied the whole senior staff! Shoot me please!